Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Opidius
did, as Story goes, divide
His Farms between his Sons before he dy'd:
And said, and as he said he gravely smil'd,
My Aulus, I observ'd Thee from a Child:
And when I saw thee careless of thy Toys,
And freely give thy Nuts to other Boys:
And You, Tiberius, count them o'er and o'er,
And hoard them up, increasing still your Store:
I fear'd, both mad, would diff'rent Vices chuse,
And One be covetous, and One profuse.
Wherefore I charge You both, by all that's dear,
As You my Blessing hope, or Curses fear,
That neither You consume your small Estate,
Nor You increase, but live content on That:
Since all your proper Wants it will supply,
And Nature thinks enough as well as I.
And lest You be Ambitious, hear my Oath:
Observe, I leave this Curse upon You both:
He that of You shall be Ædilis first,
Or ev'n a Prætor, let him be accurs'd!—
His Farms between his Sons before he dy'd:
And said, and as he said he gravely smil'd,
My Aulus, I observ'd Thee from a Child:
189
And freely give thy Nuts to other Boys:
And You, Tiberius, count them o'er and o'er,
And hoard them up, increasing still your Store:
I fear'd, both mad, would diff'rent Vices chuse,
And One be covetous, and One profuse.
Wherefore I charge You both, by all that's dear,
As You my Blessing hope, or Curses fear,
That neither You consume your small Estate,
Nor You increase, but live content on That:
Since all your proper Wants it will supply,
And Nature thinks enough as well as I.
And lest You be Ambitious, hear my Oath:
Observe, I leave this Curse upon You both:
He that of You shall be Ædilis first,
Or ev'n a Prætor, let him be accurs'd!—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |